Soccer Star Alex Morgan Navigates Her Post-Playing Career

Athletes in today’s world have a unique opportunity to leverage their sports stardom for business, advocacy, and philanthropy through social media and online communities. One such athlete is soccer superstar Alex Morgan, who recently sat down with her longtime business partner Dan Levy to discuss her transition off the field into various ventures on the latest episode of the “Strictly Business” podcast by Variety.

After an impressive 15-year professional soccer career, which included 22 World Cup matches and 16 Olympic matches, Morgan retired in September 2024. Throughout her career, Morgan has been a vocal advocate for women’s sports, pushing for pay parity, equity in youth sports, and more recognition for female athletes. In 2021, she co-founded Togethxr with fellow sports leaders Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel, a sports brand that focuses on content production, brand consulting, and advocacy for female athletes who are also mothers.

Morgan’s advocacy efforts also extended to a landmark pay parity lawsuit against her employer, the U.S. Women’s National Team, in 2019. The players reached a $24 million settlement in 2022, marking a significant victory for equal pay in women’s sports. Despite her success on the field, Morgan has been equally dedicated to branching out into business and public service opportunities, a rare feat for athletes in the prime of their careers.

During a Q&A session at Variety’s annual Sports and Entertainment Breakfast in West Hollywood, Morgan emphasized the importance of highlighting untold stories in the female sports space through Togethxr. The company works with brands to activate in the women’s sports arena and collaborates with media brands and production companies to amplify female athletes’ voices.

The conversation between Morgan and Levy showcased the challenges and triumphs of balancing a successful sports career with business endeavors and advocacy work. It highlighted the growing importance of women’s sports in the media landscape, with a projected increase from 16% to 20% of total TV time devoted to live games and coverage.

“Strictly Business” is Variety’s weekly podcast that delves into the business side of media and entertainment, featuring industry leaders discussing their experiences and insights. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on various platforms like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play, and SoundCloud to stay updated on the latest episodes.